First Watch, the Bradenton-based Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch restaurant company opened a new restaurant in its home market earlier this week. Located at 3706 Cattlemen Road, the restaurant is the fifth to open in the Sarasota / Bradenton area, bringing the number of First Watch restaurants in Florida to more than 30.
Since opening its first Sarasota restaurant over 25 years ago, First Watch has been a recipient of Sarasota Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, in categories such as “Best Breakfast,” “Best Power Brunch,” and “Best Healthy Restaurant” for more than 20 consecutive years.
The newly opened restaurant is the first in Southwest Florida to feature a new interior design concept known as “Connect.” Unveiled in the fall of 2011, it currently appears in three newly opened restaurants in Nashville, Tenn., Jacksonville, Fla., and Solon, Ohio, as well as in remodels of six existing First Watch restaurants in the Columbus, Ohio market. It “connects” traditional First Watch design elements with contemporary executions by maximizing natural light provided during the restaurant’s daytime hours, and incorporating color tones intended to convey the warm and inviting personality of the First Watch brand. The design also accentuates an open-kitchen concept, which reinforces First Watch’s honest approach to fresh food preparation.
“We are proud of the continued success and expansion in our home state,” said Chris Tomasso, chief marketing officer for First Watch. “We have established a loyal following in Sarasota over the years and are excited to introduce our concept and new interior design to even more customers in the area.”
First Watch is known for delivering an excellent dining experience and fast, friendly service. The menu features traditional favorites including pancakes, omelets, salads and sandwiches, as well as signature specialties such as the Chickichanga®, Healthy Turkey Omelet™ and Fresh Fruit Crepes. All menu items are freshly prepared to order and the restaurant does not use microwaves, deep fryers or heat lamps.
In addition to serving unique and fresh entrées, First Watch offers its exclusive Sunrise Select® Premium Blend Coffee. The special blend is made from slow-roasted, hand-selected, high-grown Panamanian, Colombian and Mexican coffee beans.
First Watch is now open and serves its entire menu seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The restaurant also offers guests complimentary newspapers and free Wi-Fi Internet access.
The new restaurant is expected to employ about 25 local employees.
First Watch has specialized in award-winning, made-to-order Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch for nearly 30 years. A recipient of more than 200 “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” accolades, First Watch offers traditional favorites such as omelets, pancakes, sandwiches and salads, to unique specialty items like the fan-favorite Chickichanga® and Fresh Fruit Crepes. It is currently the largest and fastest-growing daytime-only restaurant concept in the U.S. with nearly 100 restaurants in 13 states and additional units under development as part of the Bradenton, FL-based company’s aggressive growth strategy. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.
